Cubs Are About to Add a Top 5 Prospect
Remember back in 2013 or 2014 when we were getting excited about all the prospects the Chicago Cubs had in MLB’s Top 100? Franchise changing and eventual World Series winning prospects? When the argument Cubs fans had (or talent evaluators had) was which Cubs prospect to list as the number one guy in baseball? Well, the Cubs are again starting to flood their system with talent again, although none of which seem to be Top 100 worthy, yet.
The Cubs currently have two players in the MLB Top 100, Brailyn Marquez (LHP) and Brennen Davis (OF). There is reason to believe that the organization will have two or three more enter the list when it is updated for the 2021 season. Guys like Miguel Amaya (Cubs #3), Ed Howard (Cubs #4), and Reginald Preciado will likely find their way into the top 100. That’s five guys in the top 100, with Marquez and Amaya likely seeing time in the big leagues in 2021.
While the Cubs don’t necessarily have a hop filled with future superstars (most of their organizational talent project as everyday players, or have an FV of 50) the excitement is how deep their system is becoming.
Now they are looking to add a top-five player to their system, who might just be the best of them all when it is all said and done. Enter, Cristian Hernandez. Here is what MLB scouts have said about him:
Hernandez is a five-tool player with a chance to have plus tools across the board. At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, the teenager resembles a young Alex Rodriguez and has a build similar to Manny Machado at the same age. He styles his game after Javier Baez, his favorite player.
Hernandez is big, and he’s expected to get even bigger and stronger and will likely stay at shortstop as he makes his way through the Minor League system. His approach and abilities give him a chance to hit for a high batting average, and he’s expected to have plus power in the future. There’s a belief he could eventually develop into a .300 hitter who can hit 30 or more home runs.
On defense, he shows plus arm potential with smooth hands and the ability to make plays in the hole and up the middle with equal proficiency. He can also charge the ball and make the plays coming in with ease. His great footwork also works well in the batter’s box. He consistently runs the 60-yard timed run in 6.5 seconds.
Hernandez is known as a student of the game and scouts praise him for his instincts and high baseball IQ. He has also impressed evaluators with his makeup. He trains with Luis Pereira of Mejia Top 10 Baseball Academy. The Cubs are the favorite to sign the infielder.
How this kid rates:
- Hit: 50
- Run: 55
- Field: 55
- Power: 55
- Arm: 55
Now, he is 17 years old, so he has a ways to go before he finds himself in Wrigley Field, but the wait is going to be worth it. Scouts have dubbed him as a Baby A-Rod because of his frame and talent. In fact, this kid is compared to Alex Rodriguez, Manny Machado (who was a SS till he had knee issues), and Javier Baez. If you’re being compared to players, it isn’t horrible to have those three as your comps.
He is expected to officially sign with the Cubs on Friday, January 15th, moved from July 2nd. Then he will likely find his way into the Cubs top 10, and as Bryan Smith suggests, top five.
In 5 days, Cristian Hernández signs on the dotted line, instantly becoming a Cubs top 10 (and as high as 5 depending on your aggressiveness with IFAs) prospect.
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) January 10, 2021
Cubs must decide this spring whether Hernández’ debut is best suited to happen in the DSL or AZL this summer.
The Cubs are pulling a theme from their old playbook. This organization is going to be filled with shortstops at every level. Currently, they have Howard, Preciado, Yeison Santana (another player scouts feel will make a huge jump soon), Kevin Made, and Rafael Morel. All Cubs top 30 guys. Now, you’re adding Hernandez to the bunch.
The great thing about having so many talented players, even if they are in the lower levels, is it gives your organization bullets. These bullets can be used to restock your own roster as needed, or used to acquire talent when the roster is nearing that competitive window again. Face the facts here, in 2025 we will not see Howard, Preciado, Santana, and Hernandez all playing shortstop for the Cubs. Some will move off position, as Ryan Longenhagen of Fangraphs has suggested will happen with Preciado. The others will find their way to other organizations one way or another.
In any event, flooding the system with talent is ALWAYS a good thing. It might suck understanding that part of this is due to the current roster’s window closing. But it is a good thing to prep for what is to come. So, while Hernandez won’t help the club for a while, it is still nice to know the Cubs can land a beast and have a relatively bright future ahead.
